August 22, 2008	Friday	Sha'aban 19, 1429

SRINAGAR, Aug 21: Thousands of students and protesters marched through the main city of occupied Kashmir on Thursday to press their demands for independence from India.

The demonstration, which came after several days of relative calm, was small compared to the massive protests that have rocked the territory over the last two months. At least 34 people have been killed in the unrest.

The students waved pro-independence signs as they marched through Srinagar, chanting “Burn the Indian institutions” and “It has come, it has come; freedom, freedom.” A group of protesters raised a green flag at the clock tower in the city’s main bazaar.

Police and paramilitary forces kept their distance from protesters and no violence was reported.

The demonstration came during a planned three-day break in protests that liberation leaders said they would spend charting a future course. They have announced plans for a massive rally and strike for Friday.

Meanwhile, Hindu protesters attacked the vehicle carrying a top elected official in Jammu, according to the Press Trust of India news agency.

Mangat Ram Sharma, who escaped unharmed, has been attacked twice before in recent weeks because of his senior role in the unpopular government.

Bus service: Meanwhile, a trans-Kashmir bus service resumed on Thursday after it was suspended in the wake of massive demonstrations in the disputed region, officials said.

“The bus service has started again,” police officer Pervez Ahmed said, adding that 60 people had departed for Azad Kashmir. Most of those travellers were residents of Azad Kashmir, eager to go home after witnessing weeks of protests, Ahmed said.

—Agencies